8 Common Causes of Truck Accidents Explained

Of all motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents are usually the most dangerous. This is because trucks are extremely large vehicles and when they collide with cars, injuries are almost guaranteed. Truck drivers have to undergo rigorous training in order to ensure they do not hurt themselves or others. However, notwithstanding training, accidents still happen. There are various different reasons why a truck might crash, from negligent handling to bad weather conditions. This post will explore this topic in more detail and tell you about eight of the most common causes of truck accidents.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is a common cause of truck accidents. Unfortunately, alcoholism isn’t uncommon among truckers. Studies show that American truckers have the highest frequency of positive alcohol tests in the world. The legal experts at Lopez & Humphries, P.A., make clear on their website that you need a lawyer’s support if you have been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, regardless of the type of vehicle they were operating. A lawyer will be able to get you the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Make sure that in addition to getting in touch with a lawyer, you contact the police. If the truck driver responsible for causing the accident you were involved in was drunk, they deserve to be arrested.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving causes lots of accidents. Truckers are no different from other drivers. Like everybody else, they get distracted at times. The problem with truckers is that because they are operating huge vehicles, distractions can cause very serious accidents. Even a small attention slip can cause a multiple-car pileup. Fatalities can occur because of distracted truckers causing accidents. It is very important for your own safety that when you are out on the road, you pay attention. If you notice truckers or any other drivers driving without paying attention, you may want to consider getting in touch with the police. Ensure you get away from such individuals as well. If you do find yourself involved in a trucking accident, you should contact a firm such as the Trucking Injury Law Group to assist you with obtaining the appropriate compensation.

Improper Turns

Improper turns can be a big problem for truckers. This is because of the size of the vehicles that they are operating. If a truck misjudges a turn, it could wipe out all of the cars around it. Additionally, a truck that doesn’t make a good turn could also tip over. It’s not uncommon for trucks that are driven carelessly to tip. When they tip, any cars next to them run the risk of being crushed. It is always a good idea to keep your distance from a truck, especially if it’s being driven recklessly. Keeping your distance from a truck will prevent any accidents from occurring or at least protect you in the event of an accident. Make sure that you report truckers who are driving recklessly to the companies they work for. You should be able to find the company they work for printed on the back of their truck somewhere.

Speeding

When it comes to trucking, drivers have to drive at a very reasonable, consistent speed. Speeding can be very dangerous, mainly because once a trucker has lost control of their vehicle, it can be very hard to get it back. If you notice a trucker speeding, you need to make sure that you get in contact with the police immediately. In addition to getting in contact with the police, make sure you find the company that they work for. However, you need to make sure that you stop your vehicle in a safe place on the side of the road before you do this. Do not try to keep up with the tracker so that you can follow them.

Tailgating

Tailgating can be very dangerous. If you notice a truck driver tailgating you, pull over to the side of the road immediately. Allowing a truck driver to tailgate you can be very dangerous. This is because if you suddenly brake their entire vehicle will collide with yours. Likewise, you need to make sure that you don’t tailgate a trucker. Tailgating one could lead to them braking. The vast majority of truck drivers won’t be able to see you if you are right up behind them, since their mirrors don’t cover the immediate rear of the truck. You can get sued if you tailgate a trucker and cause an accident.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a common cause of motor vehicle accidents, regardless of vehicle type. Whenever you see somebody driving dangerously, you need to get away from them. Make sure that you contact the police if you do see a trucker driving recklessly. It’s inadvisable to follow them so that you can provide real-time updates to the police. Instead, you should memorize the license plate number and then get as far away from them as you can. The closer you are, the more likely an accident is to happen.

Light

Bad lighting can also cause accidents. Fortunately, most truckers drive on well-lit highways. However, when poor lighting does occur, i.e., on remote roads, truckers have to drive very carefully. As mentioned above, even a small mistake can cause a very serious accident. If you are traveling along a poorly lit road with a truck in front of or behind you, you need to drive very carefully. Look up defensive driving. Defensive driving is when you pay extra attention to other drivers on the road and react to them, rather than driving obliviously.

Road Conditions

Finally, road conditions can cause accidents. On roads that are in bad condition, truck drivers have to make sure that they are extra careful. If they are not, they can get into a lot of trouble. It’s worth noting though that if a truck driver does have an accident on a bad road, it’s not necessarily their fault. The fault is instead with the local city or town council. That said, if the trucker was driving dangerously, then of course fault lies with them and not the city or town council.

Accidents can happen at any time, often without warning. If you have been involved in one, contact a lawyer. A lawyer will be able to work with you to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Find the most qualified, experienced legal representative that you can.